Pawar to preside over ICC during next World Cup

Mumbai, June 28 (UNI) Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sharad Pawar will be the International Cricket Council (ICC) chief when the Indian sub-continent hosts the next World Cup in 2011.

Confirming this, BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty expressed happiness that Mr Pawar will be at the helm of affairs of cricket's world governing body when India hosts the World Cup.

''There was speculation over the next ICC president and we are happy that it has been solved amicably,'' Mr Shetty said.

According to a compromise deal, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman David Morgan will become next ICC president for a two-year period from July 2008 and Mr Pawar will take over from 2010 till 2012.

A formal announcement to this effect is expected later this week as ICC officials are holding a series of meetings in London ahead of ICC's Annual Conference at the Lord's tomorrow.

The compromise deal reportedly provided that Mr Morgan and Mr Pawar hold the top job when England and India host major cricketing events.

England will host Twenty20 World Championships in 2009 while India will co-host the 2011 World Cup along with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

UNI